liveErin Patterson murder trial live: Mushroom cook's estranged husband returns to witness standBy court reporter Kristian Silva, Judd Boaz, Joseph Dunstan and Tim CallananTopic:Courts2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:05amSkip to timelineabc.net.au/news/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-live-blog-simon/105242456Link copiedShareShare articleAccused triple-murderer Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson is appearing for the second day as a witness in her trial.Ms Patterson maintains her innocence of three charges of murder and one of attempted murder.Follow the hearing in our live blog.Key EventsErin 'didn't actually ask' how sick in-laws were, Simon says51m ago51 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:34amErin Patterson's cancer diagnosis examined1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:16amSimon Patterson's cross-examination has resumed1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:40amShow all key eventsLive updatesLatestOldest4m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 2:22amMore messages shown to juryJBy Judd BoazMr Mandy is rapidly moving through days and weeks of text communication between Simon and Erin Patterson.Much of the messaging is logistical and relates to livestreaming at their church.Others discuss arrangements around their children.There has been about 20 minutes of discussion over these series of messages, with Mr Mandy going into detail about the emojis used and the images shared between the two.There have been no major revelations in the discussion so far.Copy link15m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 2:11amHearing turns to text exchanges between Erin and SimonJBy Joseph DunstanThe hearing's resumed, and Erin's defence lawyer Colin Mandy SC is taking Simon through his texts with Erin.He's pulled up all the messages between late November in 2022 and mid-August in 2023.Mr Mandy outlines for the court that the messages included discussions about paying medical bills for one of the children.Simon told Erin in the message that he'd been told by the department of human services not to make additional contributions to the children given he would be offering child support payments.The court also hears that Erin played a role in helping livestream church services, doing this on alternating weeks with her father-in-law Don.Copy link38m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:48amCourt breaks for the morningJBy Judd BoazA few technical issues have arisen, and Justice Beale has taken the opportunity to call for the morning break.More to come from courtroom 4 in a bit.Copy linkKey Event51m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:34amErin 'didn't actually ask' how sick in-laws were, Simon saysKBy Kristian SilvaDuring questioning about conversations with Erin in the aftermath of the lunch, Simon says his estranged wife didn't make detailed inquiries about how her in-laws were."It intrigued me that she didn't actually ask," Simon says."We didn't have that conversation, I think at any time."Copy link52m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:33amMessages between Erin and Simon shown to the courtJBy Judd BoazSignal messages between Simon and Erin Patterson are tendered as evidence, showing the two arguing with each other.The argument stems around arrangements for Gail Patterson's 70th birthday party, which Erin was not invited to.Mr Patterson says the lack of invite was not intentional and that his parents had "genuinely believed" she was invited.In messages on October 14 and 15, the pair argue and then reconcile."There was a lot of tension in our relationship and a lot of tension in ... Mum and Dad's relationship with Erin as well," Mr Patterson says.Copy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:19amSimon Pattersons says Erin hates hospitalsJBy Joseph DunstanErin Patterson's behaviour at Leongatha Hospital following the lunch has come under scrutiny.During Simon's testimony yesterday, he mentioned that Erin had seemed very keen to leave hospital as soon as possible after the poisonings, against medical advice.Mr Mandy offers that Erin had a history of disliking hospitals due to prior bad experiences, which Simon confirms."On occasions she's wanted to leave for home before doctors say that she should," Mr Mandy says."Yes ... Erin hates hospitals," Mr Patterson says.Copy linkKey Event1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:16amErin Patterson's cancer diagnosis examinedJBy Judd BoazMr Mandy turns to a conversation between Simon Patterson and his father Don at the hospital on the day following the lunch.He asks whether it was possible Simon misheard his father, when learning about Erin's admission that she was diagnosed with cancer.Mr Mandy says given Don's poor condition and the short nature of their conversation, whether it would be possible that he misremembered what had been relayed.Mr Patterson is adamant that his father relayed Erin's diagnosis of cancer to him."The possibility was more about the treatment than the diagnosis," he says."[Her diagnosis] wasn't in doubt."Mr Mandy again asks if it's possible that Mr Patterson misunderstood his father, which receives a sharp reply.Simon: I reckon we’re starting to get in the realm of flying teapots territory.Mr Mandy: I'm sorry, I missed that?Simon: It’s possible that there’s a flying teapot going around Mars, but its pretty unlikely ... miscommunications happen. It's possible I've misunderstood everything you've said so far and you've misunderstood me. But I don't think we probably have.Copy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:05amErin had reported several health issues in pastJBy Judd BoazMr Mandy questions Simon Patterson over Erin Patterson's health history.Mr Patterson says his estranged wife had reported a multitude of illnesses to him in the past, including arrhythmia of her heart, depression and concerns about multiple sclerosis.Mr Mandy asks if it would be accurate to say that Erin often complained of health issues due to " … various reasons which in the end had no substance … or limited substance?"Mr Patterson disagrees with this.Copy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:02amDefence lawyer questions Simon Patterson on past statementsJBy Judd BoazMr Mandy turns the conversation towards statements made previously by Simon Patterson.Yesterday, Simon told the court that Erin had invited him to lunch to discuss a "serious" and "important" medical matter.Mr Mandy produces the statement that Simon gave to police during an interview, which shows different wording."You did not use the words serious or important when describing the medical issues, would you agree with that?" Mr Mandy says."Yep, I would," Mr Patterson says.Mr Mandy has Simon concede that his memory about the conversation would have been more accurate at the time of the police interview than yesterday.Mr Patterson expresses to the court the difficulty he's finding in answering questions, and finding a balance between "the need to be succinct with the need to be accurate".Copy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:46amFamily video taken before deadly lunch played to courtKBy Kristian SilvaThe court is shown a clip of Simon's father Don and his grandson conducting a backyard experiment about two weeks before the fatal lunch.A matchbox-size car had been modified, fitted with a "rocket" on the back.The pair fire it up, with smoke bellowing out the back of the little red car.“Oh it's working but why isn’t it going?!” Gail Patterson is heard saying in the background.In the dock, Simon Patterson says he remembers seeing the clip.He smiles, with tears in his eyes.Copy linkKey Event1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:40amSimon Patterson's cross-examination has resumedKBy Kristian SilvaHello from the inside of courtroom four for the final time this week.It's a sunny but chilly autumn morning here in Morwell, and gratefully the natural light is shining into the courtroom today.We've only got a half-day of court scheduled today, with the jury, lawyers and everyone else set to enjoy a break after what has been a busy week.Simon Patterson's evidence will resume — he's again smartly dressed in a suit, blue shirt and tie. Erin Patterson is in the court dock, wearing a sage green jumper and has her spectacles resting on her head.Ms Patterson's lawyer Colin Mandy SC gets to his feet, with the cross-examination to continue.Copy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:27amWATCH: Erin Patterson's husband to return to witness stand in murder trialJBy Judd BoazAs Simon Patterson prepares to take the stand for a second day, the ABC's Alexandra Alvaro is in Morwell to recap what we know so far.Loading...Copy linkKey Event2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:21amDefence asks Simon Patterson about plates used at lunchJBy Judd BoazDuring Simon Patterson's testimony to the court on Thursday, the issue of crockery in Erin Patterson's house became a focus.Simon told the jury that Heather Wilkinson, one of the poisoning victims, had noted that Erin had used a different-coloured plate to the ones used by her guests.The plate Erin used at lunch was described as a tan-orange colour. (ABC News)At the time, Simon had told Heather that Erin did not own a lot of crockery and that it may have explained the difference in plates.The defence zeroed in on the issue of crockery in its cross-examination.Defence: But you're aware that there was no formal or uniform set of plates that Erin had?Simon: She had a mixture of plates and it's not that they were all different to each other but she had a bunch of ceramic plates generally that weren't all the same.Defence: So there was no uniform set of plates?Simon: Well, multiple, small uniform sets, put it that way.Defence: A large number of mismatched plates?Simon: There was a mismatched group, let's put it that wayDefence: And not a particularly large number of plates either?Simon: That's what I thought, yeah.Defence: Perhaps eight or 10 plates in the house?Simon: I'd guess, yeah. That's probably fair.Copy linkKey Event2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:19amErin Patterson insisted on her estranged husband attending lunchJBy Judd Boaz As part of the prosecution's examination of Simon Patterson on the witness stand yesterday, texts between Simon and his estranged wife Erin were read aloud to the court.The texts, sent the night before a lunch which resulted in four people suffering death cap mushroom poisoning, revealed Erin had been adamant that Simon also attend.Despite initially accepting an invite, Simon said he changed his mind, and at 6:54pm the night before, sent the following text message to Erin:Simon: Sorry, I feel too uncomfortable about coming to the lunch with you, Mum, Dad, Heather and Ian tomorrow but I'm happy to talk about your health and implications of that at another time. If you'd like to discuss on the phone, just let me know.Five minutes later, Erin responded:Erin: That's really disappointing. I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow which has been exhausting in light of the issues I'm facing and spent a small fortune on beef eye fillet to make beef Wellingtons because I wanted it to be a special meal, as I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time. It's important to me that you're all there tomorrow and that I can have the conversations that I need to have. I hope you'll change your mind. Your parents and Heather and Ian are coming at 12.30. I hope to see you there.Simon did not reply to this text message. Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC asked him in the court about how he took the message."Did the message that she sent in reply … change your mind about going to the lunch?" Dr Rogers asked."No, it didn't," Simon told the court.Copy link2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:12amCatch up on what happened in court yesterdayJBy Judd BoazThursday's proceedings at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts focused on Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson as he faced questions from the prosecution and defence lawyers.You can catch up on Thursday's developments in court here:Erin Patterson 'seemed' to love in-laws, estranged husband tells courtCopy linkKey Event2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:09amSix things we learnt on ThursdayJBy Judd BoazToday we'll hear more evidence from Erin Patterson's estranged husband, Simon.Simon Patterson will return for a second day of evidence. (AAP: James Ross)Erin is accused of poisoning Simon's parents, aunt and uncle.Here are six things we learned from his testimony on Thursday:Erin had a close relationship with Simon's parents, and particularly with his father Don, with whom she shared a love of science.Erin and Simon had a tumultuous relationship, experiencing several separations and reconciliations, with Mr Patterson emotionally saying "it was always her leaving me".Disagreements over child support and property led to a rift between the pair, with Erin asking Simon's parents to intervene in the issue.Erin inherited $2 million from her grandmother in 2006, money which was then used to purchase properties and facilitate loans to Simon's siblings.Simon confirmed that Heather Wilkinson, who died following the lunch, was puzzled why Erin ate from different-coloured crockery to the rest of the group. Simon told the court Erin did not own many plates, and this may have been the reason why.A conversation at the hospital the day after the lunch was the first time Simon had heard of Erin using a food dehydrator.Copy link2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:04amWelcome to today's coverage of the trialJBy Judd BoazCourt reporter Kristian Silva will be bringing us regular updates from the Supreme Court trial of Erin Patterson.Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three of her relatives and the attempted murder of another, through a poisoned lunch at her Leongatha home.She has always maintained her innocence.Yesterday, Ms Patterson's estranged husband Simon appeared in court as the first witness in the case.Today, we're expecting to hear the rest of his testimony.Copy linkPosted 2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:05am, updated 43m ago43 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:42amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TimelineRead nextTimelineKey EventsLatestErin 'didn't actually ask' how sick in-laws were, Simon says51m ago51 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:34amErin Patterson's cancer diagnosis examined1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 1:16amSimon Patterson's cross-examination has resumed1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:40amDefence asks Simon Patterson about plates used at lunch2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:21amErin Patterson insisted on her estranged husband attending lunch2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:19amSix things we learnt on Thursday2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 12:09amTop StoriesWhy don't the major parties want house prices to fall? 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